Air ticket refund rules: No extra charge for cancelling ticket within 48 hours of booking

Air ticket refund policy 2026: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revised the air ticket refund norms for passengers. The move comes following rise in passenger complaints received by the DGCA regarding delays and issues in ticket refunds. In a statement, the aviation watchdog said: “…it is now considered that the onus rests with the Government to fix some minimum bench marks, as far as the refund policy is concerned in order to stem the growing dissatisfaction among the passengers regarding the refund procedures adopted by some airlines.” ## Air ticket refund rules 2026 Under the new rules, flyers can cancel or modify their air tickets free of additional charge within 48 hours of booking. However, this new benefit will be subject to certain conditions. “The airline shall provide “Look-in option” for a period of 48 hours after booking ticket. During this period passenger can cancel or amend the ticket without any additional charges, except for the normal prevailing fare for the revised flight for which the ticket is sought to be amended. This facility shall not be available for a flight whose departure is less than 7 days for domestic flight and 15 days for international flight from booking date when ticket is booked directly through airline website. Beyond 48 hours of initial booking time, this option is not available and the passenger has to pay the relevant cancellation fees for amendment,” the DGCA said. The aviation watchdog also stated that airlines must not levy any additional fee for correcting the name of the same passenger if the error is reported within 24 hours of booking, when the ticket is booked directly through the airline’s website. “Airline shall not levy any additional charge for correction in name of the same person when the error is pointed out by the passenger within 24 hours of making the booking, when ticket is booked directly through airline website,” it said. ## Air ticket cancellation rules The DGCA has also revised the norms for ticket cancellations in cases where passengers are forced to cancel due to a medical emergency. The DGCA has asked airlines to offer either a refund or a credit shell in cases where a passenger or a family member on the same PNR is hospitalised during the travel period. “In the event of ticket cancellations due to a medical emergency, where the passenger or a family member listed on the same PNR gets admitted/hospitalized during the travel period, airlines may provide either a refund or a credit shell. For all other situations, refunds will be issued once an opinion on the passenger’s fitness to travel certificate is received from an airline’s Aerospace Medicine specialist/ DGCA empanelled Aerospace Medicine specialist,” it said. ### DGCA • 24 FEB 2026Your Rights: Airline Refund & Cancellation Rules Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More